The Rite
and Mass
of Installation

Archbishop Peter's Installation
as Archbishop of Southwark

The congregation filled St George's Cathedral, Southwark, on
Thursday, 10th June 2010, for the Installation of Archbishop Peter
as Southwark's new Archbishop. Outside, the Knights of St Columba
welcomed people as they arrived and ensured that each had an Order
of Service; inside ushers led them to their seats.

Canon James Cronin, the Cathedral Dean, welcomed the
congregation and reminded everyone that this Cathedral has been a
place of prayer for saints: Saint Frances Cabrini, Blessed Mary
MacKillop (soon to be declared Australia's first saint), Blessed
Mother Teresa of Calcutta and the Venerable Mary Potter.

Father Alan McLean, the Director of Music, invited the
congregation to join the choir and musicians in the hymns and
chants. A short rehearsal made it evident that the music had been
chosen to promote an atmosphere of joyful praise.

At 11:30 am, the long line of deacons and priests processed to
the sanctuary - some of the priests had travelled from Archbishop
Peter's former diocese of Cardiff.

At 11:55 am, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor with Archbishop
Vincent Nichols of Westminster, Archbishop Bernard Longley of
Birmingham and Archbishop Patrick Kelly of Liverpool and the
majority of the Bishops of England and Wales, together with
visiting Bishops, processed to their places in the sanctuary. Our
own Archbishops Emeriti, Kevin and Michael, Bishops John, Patrick
and Paul and Bishop Emeritus Howard were in this procession.

At 12 noon, Archbishop-elect Peter
arrived at the West Door of the Cathedral
to the sound of a fanfare. He was greeted there by the Chancellor
of the Archdiocese, Mgr Matthew Dickens, Provost Joseph Collins
and the
Metropolitan Chapter, the College of Consultors and the Cathedral
Clergy.

Provost Joseph Collins prayed the initial prayer of welcome:God our Father, our shepherd and guide, look upon Peter your
servant whom you have appointed pastor and guide. May his word and
example inspire and guide the Church; may he and all those in his
care come to the joy of everlasting life. We ask this through
Christ our Lord.

Archbishop Peter reverenced a crucifix, blessed himself and
those gathered at the West Door with holy water and processed to
the sanctuary to greet the congregation.

Archbishop Kevin welcomed Archbishop Peter as his successor and
asked that the Apostolic Letter of Authority from the Holy See be
read. This was handed to the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Mgr
Matthew Dickens, to read. (Please
click here for the text of the Apostolic Letter)

The Provost then led Archbishop Peter to his cathedra and
prayed: Almighty and eternal God from the highest heavens you
sent your Son to teach and guide us. We earnestly pray that this
you servant, Peter, to whom you have given the fullness of the
priesthood, may grow in humility as he takes the seat of his
Office. Let him come among us as one who serves and make his heart
and mind one with you in charity. We ask this through Christ our
Lord. Amen.

Archbishop Peter then said: Trusting in the Lord, I accept
the ministry entrusted to me today: I have presented to the
College of Consultors the Apostolic Letter and so thereby take
canonical possession of my Archdiocese.

The Installation of the Archbishop

The Provost then said: In the name of God, I, Joseph
Collins, Provost of the Metropolitan Chapter of Southwark, do
install you, Peter, Archbishop in this local Church of Southwark.
May Our Lord Jesus Christ guard your going in, from henceforth.
Amen.

Archbishop Kevin brought the crozier, the symbol of a bishop's
pastoral ministry, and placed it in Archbishop Peter's hands
saying: Our Holy Father the Pope has chosen you to be the
Shepherd of the Church of Southwark. With prayerful confidence and
trust I hand you this Crozier as a sign of the Shepherd's Office
and Ministry. May the Lord sustain you as you watch over the flock
of this Archdiocese to which the Holy Spirit has assigned you as
Archbishop to serve the Church of God.

Mgr Brian Udaigwe, First Consellor to the Papal Nuncio, read a
letter from the Nuncio, Archbishop Faustino Sainz Muñoz, who is
recovering in Madrid from the stroke he suffered in May. In his
letter Archbishop Faustino welcomed Archbishop Peter to Southwark
and paid tribute to the dedication of Archbishop Kevin and Bishop
John, especially during his time as Diocesan Administrator.